Drew Barrymore Recreates Iconic ‘Late Show’ Desk Dance With Stephen Colbert

Drew Barrymore proved she hasn’t lost her playful edge when she revisited one of late-night TV’s most unforgettable moments.

During a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Barrymore surprised the host by recreating her famous 1995 desk dance originally performed for David Letterman’s birthday. That moment nearly three decades ago became one of the show’s most talked-about highlights.

On Thursday, Barrymore asked Colbert if he wanted her to dance after he joked about never seeing her on his desk. Colbert quickly tried to steer away from the idea, telling her, “I promise you, I don’t. It was just a joke.”

But the actress and talk show host didn’t hold back. She took off her jacket to reveal a shirt with “We ♥ Stephen” on the back and began dancing and crawling across Colbert’s desk.

“It’s different now,” the now 50-year-old Barrymore said, referencing the time that has passed since her first desk dance.

A slightly embarrassed Colbert still embraced the moment, pulling Barrymore into a hug and telling her, “You’re the best.”

Barrymore’s connection to the “Late Show” stretches back decades. Letterman hosted the program for 22 years before Colbert took over in 2014. Letterman is also slated to appear in the upcoming sixth season of Barrymore’s own daytime talk show.

The moment comes as CBS prepares to wind down “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May 2026, with Barrymore joining a growing list of celebrities who have shown their appreciation for Colbert during his final stretch as host.

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